An aviation industry committee has recommended that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allow an alternative path for pilots seeking an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate.
The proposal by the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC) calls for the FAA to authorize creation of an enhanced qualification program (EQP) that would lead to issuance of a restricted-privileges ATP (R-ATP) certificate.
For years, ATP candidates have been required to accumulate a minimum of 1,500 flight hours. Regulatory changes now provide credit toward that flight hours requirement for current and former military pilots and graduates of certain aviation degree programs, enabling them to be granted R-ATP certificates and to serve as second-in-command in air carrier operations. The ATC ARC was asked to identify alternative ways for pilots to qualify for an R-ATP.
The ARC said Thursday that its proposal “includes substantial prerequisites, a rigorous candidate asses…
